Rush Springs Teachers Accused of Bullying, Sexually Harassing Students

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

RUSH SPRINGS, Oklahoma -- Federal investigators are looking into allegations that teachers at Rush Springs Middle School bullied and sexually harassed students.

The investigation began after Kay Powell, the grandmother and guardian of a 13-year old student, filed a complaint with the U.S Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights.

Powell said her grandson Cap suffered at the hands of a teacher at the school.

"She would tell him that he was dirty or that he needed to brush his teeth," Powell said. "She would say these things in front of the classroom."

Powell said she complained to school officials, but the situation got worse.

"She verbally and physically abused him," she said. "She would make him sit on the floor. She would make him sit next to her and then she would pull his chair real close to her."

Les Powell, Caps' grandfather, said the boy wanted to quit school, so they enrolled him in another district.

"He wanted to come back and he missed his friends," she said. "So we brought him back and everything went right back to the way it was."

The Powells then decided to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's office of civil rights. The department launched an investigation.

"During the course of her investigation, she found out that there was other teachers involved, and that there was some sexual harassment going on with some of the girls, and that there was also physical assaults against some of the boys," Powell said.

Other parents said their children were harassed but did not want to be interviewed for the story for fear of retaliation.

Rush Springs Schools Superintendent Cathy Carroll said she cannot comment on the allegations.

"Everything is still under investigation," Carroll said.